Shifting Vision for Main-Spring Street Intersection in Ossining

OSSINING, NY — Village leaders have changed direction regarding the roundabout proposed for downtown Ossining which was so vehemently opposed by the Chamber of Commerce and others.

Officials decided that everyone needs to take a breath, move forward together instead of as adversaries to talk about the future of downtown, and elevate the conversation to be in everyone's interests, said Mayor Victoria Gearity at the March 8 meeting.

Depending on the aftermath of the nor'easter predicted for Tuesday, the Village Board of Trustees and will begin talking about next steps at their scheduled meeting Wednesday.

"Wondering how things went at the work session that took place just hours after the release of the clerk's letter rejecting the petitions? This video is queued up to begin at that point in last week's meeting," the mayor said in her Monday morning email.

The village attorney is looking into a legal path for the change in direction regarding the roundabout, she said.

The intersection has been unchanged for five decades — ever since village officials decided belatedly to join the urban renewal movement and got through demolition of one half of the intersection before funds and willpower dried up.

The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce called for saving "Historic Downtown Five Corners" when it mounted the fight against the roundabout — a fight ultimately successful though the drive to referendum failed due to classic New York political petition technicalities.

"We are preparing to schedule an initial meeting to establish a path forward as we re-imagine a plan for the future," Gearity said. "Perhaps the tremendous attention currently focused on the heart of our downtown will make this renewed effort more constructive and engaging than ever."

The roundabout will be on the table, as will other options, some as yet unknown.

SEE ALSO:

• Ossining Village Clerk Rejects Chamber of Commerce Petitions against Roundabout
• Roundabout Referendum Petitions Filed
• Ossining Roundabout: FAQ Posted, Opposition Grows

Image via Google Maps